109788✽
To sewislo and any other Cutie trying to organize their fabric stach.Patricia109 gave me some good advice about storing and I will attempt to repeat it here, or at least tell you, how I am doing mine.I am using 3 drawer rolling carts,but it is the same concept with any container.Refer to photos..First lay your drawer on its SIDE...Fold your fabric to fit that side,always folding so your selvaged edge is toward the back of your drawer/container and your fold is toward the front....then stack your folded fabric until your drawer is full...Turn UP-RIGHT and you have a neat, organized drawer with fabric, that you can see what you have, without digging...Ready to sew? Just slip one out,the rest stays neat. Now,wasn't that 'sew' simple?Thank you again Patricia109, best tip I ever got.L-O-V-E IT !Toogie......pennifold if you are reading this,my husband sent you a message in my L shaped room post
5 images:
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
Comments (10)
1821✽
by
CymbleneJones
19 Jan 2014
+8✽
Great way to store fabric and patterns.
1 comment
I thought,why didn't I think to do this before,so simple and it's not taking up near the space.I am emptying large totes!
16707✽
Love it toogie. Thank you for sharing. One question, how do you store organza or other slippery fabric and bulky fabric? Same way? and What about scraps?
2 comments
My scraps are in my "I just cut this up" pile, to the left of my machine. I know that's not organized, but it keeps the white and skin tone cottons and the basic colors of fleece handy for appliques!
tilde01-I have a small see-through bin with locking lid for scraps.I use them for applique like graceandham,then i see what is there.
140717✽
I have a similar system for fat quarters. My drawers are wider than yours and you can get so many FQs in one (and see where they all are!)
5 comments
I started to get the wider,but as I wanted to stack 2 together,and with the weight of the fabric,I thought the narrower may be stronger.Don't know.I didn't attach the rollers on the top 3 drawer unit. Are yours stacked? I am so claustrophobic I was afraid to cover my walls with shelving,and since my floor space is limited I did need to go up some.What I like, you can roll them around and since they are narrower,can fit them in here better,for me anyway.And I don't have to lift (osteo, you know).I really like this storing/folding system and forever, will be grateful, for Patricia109 for suggesting.I have stored more in less space,so nice.
Mine are under a worktop, not stacked.
The wider tends to sage in the middle and the front of drawer protrudes outward. I like your choice of the narrower drawers.
I can't fit mine under the tables I have because of the table braces.Well, they will go under, but they don't leave me leg room to sew, because they only go under as far as the braces.
The size I purchased are about 12 1/2 inches wide.
23282✽
I love it! Thanks for sharing that, I had asked in another post so glad you shared this so I can see it. You've had a busy weekend. I like this much better than the other bins though I know these are a lot more money, it is easier to choose what you need and not have to dig. How many sets did you have to buy? You know I had to ask that right? Heehee!!!
3 comments
I had bought 5, but am going to get more tonight.Going out with hubby to eat and will run by to get more.If I get too many,I can always get more fabric-LOL They were $11.88 each but Like you say,so much better than digging.When I wanted to do a project, by the time I found what I was looking for, I had wasted so much time,I had to go back on the bus and didn't get my project done. I love this tip from Patricia109.I don't know who she is, but I wish she would have told me sooner, before all this pile-up!-LOL
Now, where to put all the bins?
I'll show you when I finish.I want it in my sewing room,even tho there is no closet here.
463429✽
That looks so nice! I have one comment though. You need to make sure that the box is not near sunlight or a light bulb that will fade the color on the edges. I know this defeats part of the purpose but I slipped an acid free paper into the drawer to block the light. I have labeled the drawers "cotton prints" "cotton solids" etc.
1 comment
Good idea and thanks,I am still not through it all, but my back hurts so I am taking another break.I have made some progress but still a lot to do.
62461✽
I also use the clear stacking bins for fabric. I place all of my fabric in them. They are then placed on shelves. I like being able to see the colors and types at a glance. I use smaller bins for my thread also with a difference one for each color range. That way they are not out collecting dust or exposed to light.
1 comment
I like the clear bins also!!
173695✽
That looks great, but what do I do with all the stuff in the rolly cabinet? Lol!
1941✽
by
Patricia109
20 Jan 2014
+4✽
I agree with SEWMOM. My bins are in a wardrobe. All I do is open the sliding door and look! It is so yummy.
Toogie, only difference I make is I put my bins on their smallest side. My bins are all rectangular. And have the bulgiest fold where I stick my hand to grab the fabric..
Your arrangement makes sense for a rolling bin set.
Well done, Girl!! :-)
Err, does that make sense??
Toogie, only difference I make is I put my bins on their smallest side. My bins are all rectangular. And have the bulgiest fold where I stick my hand to grab the fabric..
Your arrangement makes sense for a rolling bin set.
Well done, Girl!! :-)
Err, does that make sense??
3 comments
Yes,I understood that but what size bins are you using? I have solid 18 gallon that I can't see thru, these are my old.But if I were to stack the fabric in them, with it laying on iy's end, do I make the fabric lay all the way across,side to side, top to bottom.It makes for a very thin piece,if you don't have much yardage. Do I make sense?
You make perfect sense!
I think my smallest bins are twice the size of yours. I do dressmaking, never quilting (all my quilting jobs are accidental) so I have yards (metres) and yards of fabric.
I do have some thin bits of fabric in my stash and placing the bin on its small end and then stacking the fabric horizontally (in that position) makes them easier to find.
Reread your comment above - for my tiny weeny pieces I can and do have more than one piece of fabric across the layer. Don't see why you cannot do that.
Use what you have in the way of storage. No point in buying more stuff and offloading what you have at present to landfill.
Now if Hubby needed some bins for the garage you could do a swap. BUT then you have to keep them in the dark to protect the fabric from the light. :-)
Just as easy to label the outside of your old bins with a hint at what is in there. ie ORANGES & BLUES or BLUE SHADES or whatever suits you.
I like labels about 1/3 size of printing paper Letter or A4 size. I put sticky tape on the top and bottom of the label only - makes for easy removal when it needs changing. For a see through bin if I need a label, then I just slip it into the bin side that is facing out.
I think my smallest bins are twice the size of yours. I do dressmaking, never quilting (all my quilting jobs are accidental) so I have yards (metres) and yards of fabric.
I do have some thin bits of fabric in my stash and placing the bin on its small end and then stacking the fabric horizontally (in that position) makes them easier to find.
Reread your comment above - for my tiny weeny pieces I can and do have more than one piece of fabric across the layer. Don't see why you cannot do that.
Use what you have in the way of storage. No point in buying more stuff and offloading what you have at present to landfill.
Now if Hubby needed some bins for the garage you could do a swap. BUT then you have to keep them in the dark to protect the fabric from the light. :-)
Just as easy to label the outside of your old bins with a hint at what is in there. ie ORANGES & BLUES or BLUE SHADES or whatever suits you.
I like labels about 1/3 size of printing paper Letter or A4 size. I put sticky tape on the top and bottom of the label only - makes for easy removal when it needs changing. For a see through bin if I need a label, then I just slip it into the bin side that is facing out.
For my labels I use a fine point big permanent marker pen. Biro is too fine for me to see. I am tall so I have bins on top of bookcases as well as in cupboards. I have bins wherever they will fit. Full of fabric, yarn, stabiliser, you name it. My card making stuff is in a huge bin and it is way too heavy, have to rehome that stuff into two smaller bins.
If the bin has a chance of being either in short end or long end showing then I put 2 labels on or in it.
Will try to get some photos tonight and then post them here if I can figure out how to do it.
If the bin has a chance of being either in short end or long end showing then I put 2 labels on or in it.
Will try to get some photos tonight and then post them here if I can figure out how to do it.
85867✽
You are doing a wonderful job!!! So proud of you. Kay
1 comment
Thank you Kay,I have had fabric all over the place! I have 9 of those rolling carts filled to the brim,so to speak. I just got a few pieces of fabric that is on the bed, that came off the bookcase in here, so the bed is still full.It was my good batiste for smocking, the rest is still on the bed.I am determined to finish but my shoulders hurt,maybe tomorrow......
45918✽
I use a very similar system, I have 6 long underbed rolling container and 12 deeper ones but I have been laying them across the bottom might have to try you way at least with the deeper ones and see how that goes..
3 comments
Those underbed bins would work good,placing your folds at the opening where the lid goes on.Today I start with the big bins.I have asked Patricia109 how she folds for the big,but to date hasn't answered, so I guess I'll figure it out.
ps I wanted to say, not only are your fabrics easy to locate,they also look nice and neat.I waste too much time 'looking' for a piece.This should and will, help me tremendously.
Sorry toogie, not in here much.
How to stack for larger bins. I am doing yardage as I am a sewer (I am an older Aussie so don't do sewist) see down below, below..
How to stack for larger bins. I am doing yardage as I am a sewer (I am an older Aussie so don't do sewist) see down below, below..